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City Commission Meeting Highlights From Feb. 21, 2011 Meeting

At the City Commission meeting held February 21st the commission approved a right-of-way purchase at 801 W. 2nd Street. This purchase was necessary for the North Lincoln Sidewalk Improvement project which is now anticipated to begin in August 2011.

The City also made available warehouse space at the airport for Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for the implementation of Lakeland Electric’s Smart Grid Initiative.

The Commission also approved: The annexation into the city of property at 1130 East Rose St. off-street parking and storm water retention for property at 125 E. Prado Place.

Also approved was zoning for the North Village project that includes a Walgreens at Harden Blvd. and Town Center Dr. at Lakeside Village.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated$1,303,139 to Lakeland, for the purpose of stabilizing neighborhoods and eliminating blight over the next three years. The City of Lakeland has identified three neighborhoods of greatest need: Lake Beulah, Webster Park and Parker Street.

The selection of the White Challis Redevelopment Co., LLC (“White Challis”) to provide residential development of the Bay Street Parking Lot was approved. The project is a three story mixed use building with retail/office and residential studios on the ground floor; and residential lofts on the second and third floors and will front Kentucky Avenue and Bay Street.

Also approved was a resolution implementing a voluntary energy efficiency and renewable energy program; providing financing to residential property owners located in Lakeland Electric’s service territory seeking to install energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on their residences. Any financing provided pursuant to this program shall be set at a minimum amount of $500 and a maximum amount of $5,000 at zero interest for qualified Lakeland Electric customers.

The City Manager was authorized to submit funding applications to the Polk Transportation Planning Organization for the Central Lakeland transit signal prioritization study, for Bartow Rd. and Kathleen Rd. access management improvement projects.

The Commission also approved a service agreement with Federal Engineering, Inc. for the evaluation of the City’s radio communications needs. The existing 800MHz radio system, needs replacing, due to the obsolescence of equipment. This radio system serves the needs for Police, Fire, Lakeland Electric and many other Departments.

Upon recommendation of the Utility Committee the City Commission approved an Agreement with Burns & McDonnell to Conduct a Rate Study for Lakeland Electric with a total cost of $125,000.

Also approved was a task authorization with TJR Technical Services, Inc. for McIntosh Unit #2 technical direction, outage coordination and bid reviews, during April 2011 outage.

The City Commission also voted to allow the City attorney to enter into talks with Tampa, Orlando and other interested parties as to formulation of a private entity to coordinate the implementation of the High Speed Rail project.